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Digitale Literatur/Digital Literature

Zeitschrift/Journal: Herpetozoa

Jahr/Year: 1998

Band/Volume: 11_1_2

Autor(en)/Author(s): Böhme Wolfgang, Bonetti Andrea, Chiras Georgios

Artikel/Article: The chameleons of the Greek mainland: taxonomic allocation and conservation needs of a second European species (Squamata: Sauria: Chamaelonidae). 87-91 ©Österreichische Gesellschaft für Herpetologie e.V., Wien, Austria, download unter www.biologiezentrum.at

HERPETOZOA 11 (1/2): 87-91 Wien, 30. Juli 1998 The chameleons of the Greek mainland: taxonomic allocation and conservation needs of a second European species (Squamata: Sauria: Chamaeleonidae)

Die Chamäleons vom griechischen Festland: Taxonomische Zuordnung und Schutzprioritäten einer zweiten europäischen Art (Squamata: Sauria: Chamaeleonidae)

WOLFGANG BÖHME & ANDREA BONETTI & GEORGIOS CHIRAS

KURZFASSUNG Die einzige vom griechischen Festland (SW Peloponnes) bekannte Chamäleon-Population gehört nicht zur aus Europa bekannten Art Chamaeleo chamaeleon (LJNNAEUS, 1758), sondern zum afrikanischen C. africanus LAU- RJENTI, 1768 - Komplex. Die exakte taxonomische Stellung dieser griechischen Population innerhalb des Komplexes bedarf noch weiterer Untersuchungen, doch unterscheidet sie sich von den subsaharischen C. africanus - Populationen durch deutlich größere Körpermaße und eine unterschiedliche Färbungsvariabilität. Wahrscheinlich geht das griechische Vorkommen auf eine bereits in der Antike erfolgte passive Einschleppung zurück. Die Population hat sich dort seitdem als zweite europäische Chamäleonart etabliert, wurde aber erst jetzt als solche identifiziert. Dir einziger Fundort in Europa ist ernsthaft durch hohen touristischen Druck gefährdet, weshalb C. africanus sofort auf die of- fizielle Liste besonders geschützter Tierarten Griechenlands bzw. der Europäischen Union gesetzt werden sollte.

ABSTRACT The only known chameleon population in mainland Greece (SW Peloponnesos) does not belong to the Euro- pean species Chamaeleo chamaeleon (LINNAEUS, 1758) but to the African C. africanus LAURENTI, 1768 species complex. The exact taxonomic position of this Greek population within the complex has still to be determined; the in- dividuals differ, however, from African subsaharan representatives by their much larger size and different range of colour variability. Most likely, the presence of C. africanus in Greece is due to passive human transport already in the antiquity, since that it established itself as a second chameleon species to occur in Europe, but was discovered only now. The only European location where it is known to occur is seriously threatened by tourist's pressure. C. africanus therefore should immediately be placed on the official list of protected animal species of Greece, and of the European Union, respectively.

KEY WORDS Sauria, Chamaeleonidae, Chamaeleo africanus, first record, Europe, Greece; conservation

INTRODUCTION

The only chameleon species known to port or passive rafting at best (WERNER occur in Europe is the Common or Euro- 1938; WETTSTEIN 1958; BÖHME 1989). pean Chameleon, Chamaeleo chamaeleon Moreover, one of these two populations, (LINNAEUS, 1758). Published records for viz. Maina (SCHREIBER 1912), is almost Greece comprise the islands of Chios, certainly extinct (BRINGS0E 1985). The Samos and Crete (KLAVER 1981; KLAVER other one, in the southwestern Pelopon- & BÖHME 1997), and two localities on the nesos, was discovered and described on the Peloponnesos (SCHREIBER 1912; BÖHME basis of a photograph showing a fairly big 1989). Whereas its presence on Chios and chameleon on the hand of a Greek hotel Samos is considered to be natural (being owner (BÖHME 1989: fig. 1). The photo- close to the neighbouring Anatolian distri- graph came with the reliable information bution area), its status for Crete is disputed, that a reproducing chameleon population and most authors agree in that the two Pe- would be existing there at least for several loponnese records are due to human trans- decades. ©Österreichische Gesellschaft für Herpetologie e.V., Wien, Austria, download unter www.biologiezentrum.at

88 W. BÖHME & A. BONETTI & G. CHIRAS

SPECIES IDENTITY OF THE PELOPONNESE CHAMELEON

In July, 1997, the senior author vis- newly recovered specimens clearly indicate ited the Peloponnesos to have a look at the that it belongs to the same C. africanus- chameleons and their habitat, on which he like population. We therefore have to con- had briefly published eight years ago. He clude that (i) C. chamaeleon does not occur was lucky to meet there with the two junior on the Greek mainland, and (ii) there is a authors who were familiar with this chame- second chameleon species in Europe that leon population and others since several has been able to establish a viable popula- years. On July 7, 1997, we made a joint ex- tion for many generations, viz. C. africa- cursion into the habitat, and a big male was nus (sensu lato: see below). soon discovered on a Tamarix tree. A much Chamaeleo africanus is currently smaller female was found in a neighbour- considered to form a superspecies made up ing Phragmites stand. The huge male (total by two allopatric semispecies, the second of length 43 cm: fig. 1) exhibited a distinct which (C. [a.] calcaricarens BÖHME, 1985) tarsal spur (fig. 2) and showed not even lacks a tarsal spur in the male sex and oc- traces of occipital flaps in its neck region curs largely east of the Ethiopian rift valley (fig. 3) - both characters being non-existent to Somalia in the east (BÖHME 1985). The in C. chamaeleon, but diagnostic for the "nominotypic" semispecies (C. [a.] africa- tropical African species C. africanus LAU- nus) has a subsaharan distribution and RENTI, 1768! Extensive photographic ma- ranges from Mali in the west through the terial taken in the past few years by the whole Sahelo-Sudanian belt to the Red Sea first junior author (BONETTI unpubl.) doc- coast in Sudan. However, as several other uments the constancy of these two dis- Afrotropical faunal elements, it was able to tiguishing characters, the first of which penetrate the Sahara northwards along the (tarsal spur) is, however, sexually dimor- Nile valley as far as Upper Egypt. An iso- phic and present only in males. Complete lated outpost population exists near Alex- lack of occipital flaps was also visible in andria (Ramien: "in the gardens of Euro- the subadult female found (fig. 4) and peans", ANDERSON 1898: 230). This hith- moreover, was observed in two (badly erto northernmost locality record is docu- smashed, but nonetheless preserved) road- mented already by literature references kills. An entire, preserved and much faded from the 16th and 17th century (ANDERSON specimen was seen some days later in an op. cit.). This author also states that it is old pharmacy in a nearby town where it "common at Wadi Haifa, which may ac- has been kept, according to the owner, count to occasional imports to Lower since several decades at least. Egypt". Hence, ANDERSON (op. cit.) obvious- Unfortunately, these two important ly regarded the population(s) of Lower distinguishing features that characterise C. Egypt as introduced, though already since africanus, had not been discernible on the long. photograph which was the first evidence of There are nearly no morphological the existence of these chameleons in the data published for the Alexandria popula- Peloponnesos. But the size of the specimen tion which is the geographically closest to figured, and its overall similarity with the the Greek one except the measurements of

Figs. 1-4 (opposite page): Chamaeleo africanus LAURENTI, 1768. Photographs by WOLFGANG BÖHME. Abb. 1 - 4 (gegenüberliegende Seite): Chamaeleo africanus LAURENTL 1768. Photos: WOLFGANG BÖHME. Fig. 1: Adult male C. africanus from Peloponnesos, Greece. Abb. 1: Adultes männliches C. africanus vom Peloponnes, Griechenland. Fig. 2: Right hindleg of the adult male C. africanus from Greece. Observe the tarsal spur. Abb. 2: Rechtes Hinterbein des adulten griechischen C. africanus - Männchens. Man beachte den Fersenspom. Fig. 3: Occipital region of the adult male C. africanus from Greece. Even traces of occipital lobes are lacking. Abb. 3: Occipitalregion des adulten griechischen C. africanus - Männchens ohne jede Andeutung von Occipitallappen. Fig. 4: Subadult female of a Greek C. africanus. Abb. 4: Subadultes Weibchen eines griechischen C. africanus. ©Österreichische Gesellschaft für Herpetologie e.V., Wien, Austria, download unter www.biologiezentrum.at ©Österreichische Gesellschaft für Herpetologie e.V., Wien, Austria, download unter www.biologiezentrum.at

90 W. BÖHME & A. BONETTI & G. CHIRAS

a male from Ramleh measuring 123 + 128 can C. africanus populations but were able = 251 mm total length (TL) (ANDERSON to increase their body size as compared op. cit.). This is within the range of Upper with their African conspecifics, due to Egyptian and Sudanian specimens (232 - founder effects and genetic drift. 255 mm TL: ANDERSON op. cit.; HECHEN- (ii) The Péloponnèse and the (like- BLEIKNER 1940), but in strong contrast to wise big-growing) Alexandria populations the Péloponnèse specimens. The big male are both differentiated from the subsaharan figured here (figs. 1-3) is 430 mm in TL, populations of C. africanus, due to an older and a female encountered earlier by M. immigration event in the latter and a sub- BONETTI measured even 460 mm TL! sequent passive transportation from the These are exceptionally big specimens also Nile delta to Greece. within their population and many more (iii) The Péloponnèse (and Alexan- morphometric data are urgently needed for dria ?) populations form a new (third) dis- sound conclusions on the relationship of tinct semispecies within the C. africanus the African populations and the Greek one. superspecies. Nonetheless, it seems already obvious that Although these three hypotheses ur- the European representatives of the C. afri- gently need (and will be subject to) evalua- canus complex are not only at the upper tion based on more material and various end of the body size range in this species, methods including genetic molecular ap- but are definitely representing a different proaches, we are in favour of the second size class! However, there is some indica- hypothesis at the moment. The area where tion that the specimens of the Nile delta the Péloponnèse chameleons are primarily also reach bigger dimensions than their living (see below) has been colonized by subsaharan African conspecifics (BAHA EL humans since the Mycenian era, i.e. 3200- DIN, pers. comm.). 3500 ybp., at least. At that time, people Consequently, three hypotheses as to there already practiced intensive cultural the taxonomic identity of the Greek popu- exchange with Ancient Egypt, involving lation can be put forward: much boat traffic across the Mediterranean (i) The Péloponnèse chameleons Sea. are taxonomically identical with the Afri-

CONSERVATION NEEDS

In the area where the chameleons are tles (see BÖHME 1994). living, the beaches are the most sensible A second problem is caused by the part of their habitat. This is also true for fact that C. chamaeleon is the only Cha- Caretta caretta (LINNAEUS, 1758), which maeleonid in the lists of protected species partly uses the same beaches as nesting in Greece and Europe, respectively. The sites (BÖHME 1994). As generally known, identification of the Péloponnèse chame- the beaches of Greece, and, thus, also of leon as belonging to the African species C. southwestern Peloponnesos undergo a rapid africanus would lead to the loss of its pro- touristic development along with the well- tected status in Greece (and all of Europe), known threats to flora and fauna. The main despite the fact that all Chamaeleo species threats to the chameleons are: agricultural are protected by severe world-wide com- mechanization (tractors etc.), cars, illegal mercial restrictions under CITES! There- campers and the dogs which are often as- fore, as soon as possible two main meas- sociated with them. Chameleons are quite ures have to take effect in order to protect often killed by cars when they try to cross and save this unique population of C. afri- the road, particularly females migrating to canus in Europe: the beaches in order to deposit their egg- (i) The immediate protection of the clutches in the sandy soil. Those females area where it lives by restricting the access which succeeded in reaching the beach for campers, tourists and their cars, .and uninjured, are often killed by patrolling particularly the dogs that may come with dogs. The dogs are also a major threat to these people. the clutches and hatchlings of the sea tur- (ii) The immediate inclusion of C. ©Österreichische Gesellschaft für Herpetologie e.V., Wien, Austria, download unter www.biologiezentrum.at

Taxonomic allocation and conservation needs of a second European chameleon species in Greece 91

africanus on the list of protected species in next to its presumed ancestral population Greece (and in Europe in general). near Alexandria - may be the only surviv- We hope that this preliminary article ing representative of a taxonomically dis- may help to realize these first and urgent tinct form. In any case, conservation meas- measures, particularly in view of the pos- ures should be taken before it is too late to sibility that this chameleon population - precisely analyze its taxonomic identity.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The senior author thanks his son MORITZ for help paper. He is further indebted to SHERIF M. BAHA EL DIN in the field. He is much indebted to Prof. Dr. GÜNTER (Cairo) for his informations on the Nile delta population NOBIS and his wife, Dr. ASTA NOBIS (Bonn and Pyla), of C. africanus which are most important for the subse- for their hospitality in Greece, and for many valuable in- quent studies to be made. formations concerning the chameleons discussed in this

REFERENCES ANDERSON, J. (1989): Zoology of Egypt. I. Ba- 318. trachia and Reptilia. London (Quaritch), 371 pp. HECHENBLEKNER, H. (1940): The Chamaeleo- BÖHME, W. (1985): Zoogeographical patterns of nidae. Unpubl. PhD thesis, Harvard University, Cam- the lizard fauna of the African subsaharan belt, with pre- bridge/Mass., 394 pp. liminary description of a new chameleon, pp. 471-478. KLAVER, C. J. J. (1981): Chamaeleo chamae- In: SCHUCHMANN, K.-L. (ed.): African vertebrates: sys- leon (LINNAEUS, 1758) - Gemeines oder Gewöhnliches tematics, phylogeny and evolutionary ecology. Zoolo- Chamäleon, pp. 218-238. In: BÖHME, W. (ed.): Hand- gisches Forschungsinstitut und Museum A. Koenig, buch der Reptilien und Amphibien Europas; Vol. 1, Ech- Bonn. sen I; Wiesbaden (Akademische Verlagsgesellschaft). BÖHME, W. (1989): Neuer Nachweis von Cha- KLAVER, C. J. J. & BÖHME, W. (1997): Cha- maeleo chamaeleon (LINNAEUS, 1758) vom Pelopormes, maeleonidae. Das Tierreich; Berlin, New York (de Griechenland- Herpetofauna, Weinstadt; 11 (59), 32-34. Gruyter), Vol. 112, pp. i-xv + 1-85. BÖHME, W. (1994): Ein aktueller Nistnachweis SCHREIBER, E. (1912): Herpetologia europaea. der Unechten Karettschildkröte, Caretta caretta (LIN- Jena (Fischer), 2nd ed., 960 pp. NAEUS, 1758) in der Voidokilia-Bucht, SW-Pelopon- WERNER, F. (1938): Die Amphibien und Reptili- nes.- Tier und Museum, Bonn; 4(1): 1-3. en Griechenlands. Stuttgart (Schweizerbarth); 116 pp. BRINGS0E, H. (1985): A checklist of Pelopon- WETTSTEIN, O. (1953): Herpetologia aegaea.- nesian amphibians and reptiles, including new records Sitzungsber. Österreich. Akad. Wiss., Wien, mathemat.- from Greece.- Ann. Mus. Goulandris, Kifissia; 7: 271- naturwiss. Klasse; (1) 162; 651-833.

DATE OF SUBMISSION: May 18th, 1998 Corresponding editor: Heinz Grillitsch

AUTHORS: Prof. Dr. WOLFGANG BÖHME, Zoologisches Forschungsinstitut und Museum Alexander Koenig, Adenauerallee 160, D-53113 Bonn, Germany, Dr. ANDREA BONETTI, Via Concordia 10, CH - 6900 Lugano, Swit- zerland; GEORGIOS CHIRAS, Sarandapora Str. 38, GR-26223 Patras, Greece.